CPR line won’t be used for sewer connection

The former CPR rail line along Sicamous’ west side will not be utilized for sewer expansion.

Council has approved funding for smaller pieces of large infrastructure projects, including the awarding of a $105,000 contract for directional sanitary drilling on the west side of the Narrows. This contract was awarded to Ironman Directional Drilling out of Salmon Arm, and relates to the expansion of the municipal sewer system to that side of the channel, including an increase in size to the forcemain to accommodate a projected “population density increase from 920 to 1,600.”

Prior to council giving its approval, Coun. Fred Busch mentioned there is the possibility of the currently decommissioned CPR rail line along the west side of the channel and Mara Lake being sold, and he asked if the district had decided not to use the line.

“I am sure that would be much simpler from an engineering point of view and a collection point of view, if the collection line could be down closer to the lake… then you wouldn’t have to install pumps and so on,” said Busch.

District operations manager Randy Hand agreed it would be simpler to use the line, but said CPR is asking “an astronomical amount of money for using that.”

“Things may happen with the rail line, but if we waited for the what ifs… so we kind of have to move forward and we decided on option B,” said Hand.

The second funding approval was for the release of $20,000 from the district’s 2012 water operating budget surplus to fund the design for a water distribution main replacement along Highway 97A between Kappel Street and Gillis Creek. In a memo to council, staff public works foreman Marty McClean says the current main is about 50 years old and requires replacement.

“In order to complete the Highway 97A pathway project and the new water treatment plant, the water main and all service connections need to be completed,” writes McLean.

The updated water main is expected to have a lifespan of 75 years.

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